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Back from England

Hi there! We got home last night from our trip visiting family in England. It was an amazing although totally chaotic trip with twenty adults and six rowdy children under four. Anton was teething, so a few nights were NUTS (I had to remind myself: babies be babies), but we loved spending the days on rocky beaches and the evenings drinking beers at the pub. I'm looking forward to sharing a few photos this week.

How have you been? Read anything good? Watch anything good? Cook anything good? Get a new job, or leave an old job? Take a trip? Cuddle a baby? Break up? I'd love to hear what you're up to and thinking about these days...

Meanwhile, a new Motherhood Around the World post is coming right up! Hope you're having a good morning, and sending love through the Internet. It's nice to be back. xoxo

We spent a month in the country. We've had a random never-ending heat wave here in Sweden and just spent the summer cuddling our newest little baby, and having such a fun time with our toddler and pre-schooler!

This is why I love A Cup Of Jo; it's a friend! :) I'm finishing my fundraising job this Friday to go back and pursue a Law Degree (eek!)I went to the Dublin Horse Show, read the amazing 'Shadows in the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and made a chocolate strawberry tart with a graham cracker crust! A good week!

Yes babies are babies, my girlfriend just went on a vacay with her hubby and three kids all under the age of 7 and her bestie, her hubby and 2 kids under 5 to Split Rock. They had a teething lil' monster too and she says she's more exhausted than when they left, lol. I reminded her she hadn't ad a vacay in 5 years, Whoa right? and to live in the moment. I really hope you guys did as well!

As for me the hubby has a much deserved day off and we are totally going to live in the moment and check out those secret sprinklers at the Museum of Natural History you wrote about with our 2 monsters. We've grown up in Queens and hung out under the whale and never knew of the water feature but have seen the tortoises roaming around outside, have you seen those guys? Thanks for sharing I'll be sure to tag you in a pic on Instagram. Welcome back !

Babies be babies. So needed a reminder of that today. Tough sleep issues with little one just now. Welcome back. I wondered if I was going to bump into you down there though we're back in Edinburgh now. X

Welcome back! I gave birth to a sweet baby boy August 1, so I've been spending a huge portion of my days nursing. So glad you are back so I'll have some interesting stuff to read while I'm glued to the rocking chair!

the big news in my house is that i'm getting married this Friday! we wanted to do the whole manhattan city clerk's office thing, but the thought of waiting in line for hours did NOT sound like my kind of fairytale! we decided to make an appointment with the mayor of jersey city instead! I can't wait :)

After sending the kids to nursery for 4 and 1 year respectively, we just started out with a nanny who comes to our house three days a week. It takes a lot of stress out of the mornings and evenings (no getting the kids ready, no heading home in public transport during rush hour). She's great with the children and they like her which is wonderful. I still have to get used to someone being in our house all day. Someone who sees your unmade bed, the mess (hmmm) in the cupboards...

Welcome back! It's great to hear you had an awesome trip :)I live in the South of France and it is hot hot hot here, so I am spending most days by the pool reading. I am currently reading the funniest memoir, Everything is perfect when you're a liar by Kelly Oxford. If you haven't read it then you have to! It is hilarious! I lol reading every page.All the best,Jules

Hey Joanna, welcome back. My news is my boyfriend is moving states to move in with me. Would love to hear tips about moving in together when you're both proper grown ups with full lives and lots of stuff. Possible topic for you- How to negotiate the move in well? xox

Welcome back! It's great to hear you had an awesome trip :)I live in the South of France and it is hot hot hot here, so I am spending most days by the pool reading. I am currently reading the funniest memoir, Everything is perfect when you're a liar by Kelly Oxford. If you haven't read it then you have to! It is hilarious! I lol reading every page.All the best,Jules

Joanna, it is so good to "hear" your voice again!We might be moving to Switzerland for a job soon!So I foresee even more chocolate in my future!Big big American hugs to you.love,Hatawww.chicagotofrance.comPlease visit me!

I love how much you travel with your children! We love traveling and bring our two kids (2years and 9 months) a lot of places. In fact we are on our way to Savannah, Georgia right now! We are driving from our home in Florida. Have you ever been to Savannah? It is to die for!

We spent two weeks on Cape Cod and just got back Friday. My newly one year old was also teething---three molars! So our nights were rough too. Thankfully, we had plenty of beach and fun during the day to distract him--one of the benefits of sharing a vacation rental with my sister and her kids. I'm reading A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. Have you read it? Beautiful and heartbreaking.

Welcome back! I made a simple syrup infused with purple basil and poured it over gin and ice for a delicious cocktail inspired by DALS (Dinner A Love Story). Now plotting my vacation to Rhode Island's Narragansett beaches...not as exotic as hoped, but it will do this year!

We were in England too! My kids are huge Beatles fans and we did a trip to Liverpool.The Beatles Magic mystery tour is amazing! ( have to share my 17 year olds blog about it http://restoringtherock.net/2014/08/08/a-beatlemaniacs-pilgrimage/ ) A week in Paris and then back.

I've been deep in decision-making about carpets, appliances, bunkbeds, and lighting. The move is Wednesday and I think my two 3-year-olds are going to be really happy to get settled in the new apartment and not be living amongst boxes and unable to find the right toy plane.

I love England and I'm glad we've had the chance to visit and spend some time there. I'd love it if we would have family to visit. I finished working summer camp and am enjoying a week off before I have to head back to work and the beginning of a new school year! Love your Motherhood around the world posts!

Your list of questions actually made me realize just how much I've been up to lately haha. I'm finishing up at an old job this week and starting a new job this week, I just moved last weekend AND tried out a new recipe (Asian honey marinade flank steak from Pioneer Woman - DELISH!). Phew, talk about a busy week.

Glad you're back! I've missed your fun posts! I have been loving the Motherhood Around the world series and the Beauty Routine ones. My husband and I are getting ready to go to Malawi, Africa in two weeks with my mom and our seven month old baby girl. My husband is from there and we haven't been back there since we got married. It will be my mom's first visit and my daughter's first time meeting her other side of the family. Glad you had a grata trip!

I read the BEST book this weekend. The Rosie Project by the author who wrote The Silver Lining Playbook. I was literally laughing out loud on the beach. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a funny love story--that's smart to boot! http://www.amazon.com/The-Rosie-Project-A-Novel/dp/1476729093/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407766412&sr=8-1&keywords=rosie+project

good morning!! I missed reading your blogs and im glad you are safe. as a matter a fact I did get a new job, saved a relationship,bought things for my new apartment and planned a trip. and i made this .

Thank you for asking...This is my first day of retirement after 45 years of teaching. I loved it, and today is hard. The first "first day of school" I have missed in 61 years,,, Some tears have been shed...

Glad you had a nice vacation. Missed you! And I love the "babies be babies" philosophy. So true... And soon they won't be babies, so enjoy them while you can!

Welcome back! I look forward to seeing some photos. It's funny.. after the first couple of days of going to this blog and being reminded you were away, I got out of the habit of checking it pretty fast. The time seemed go pass quite quickly, oddly enough lol. In any case, I am glad you're back and I will resume checking it frequently! Nothing too exciting happened in the past two weeks... I will most likely be losing my favorite coworker to her getting a new job, though, which has been quite emotional for me since we have worked closely together for years and are friends. It's amazing how one's work life can have such a huge impact on one's happiness sometimes.

Happy you're back and especially proud of you for taking an internet break to fully enjoy your vacation. I'm hanging out, 37 weeks pregnant (first baby!) and in need of a break myself - just to get my head on straight and relax and prepare for the days and months ahead!

As a leader in the blog world, I'm glad you took time for your family! Kudos to you!

I had a mini breakdown about school. My boyfriend said he was tired of it. I found online counselors at midnight- on "seven cups of tea"- a place where people will listen to your issues and help you through them. Was lifted up by these strangers...

Hi guys! Excited you're both back. My first canning experience this weekend. Seriously satisfying to see all those jars. And some bonding with other local canning friends (checking in to make sure I knew was I was doing and then sharing pics and praise for what was accomplished. Very sweet way to connect). Made a few Smitten Kitchen recipes. Headed to the in-laws in SC--10 hour ride over 2 days (and the DVD player didn't get pulle out--wildly baffling, but lovely). A side trip to the American Girl store (and bistro) in Atlanta. Now that's something to analyze! And not do again ;). And now--hosting my bro and wife who live in Astoria. Small town living in Ohio. xoxo!

New reader here. Found you while you were away and had great fun catching up on many fun and wonderful posts. My hair and makeup have never felt so fresh and stylish since I started following your tips! I also love the "friend" vibe I get when I read your posts. It feels personal and cozy here. Thanks for blogging!

Hi Joanna! It's nice to hear from you again! Looking forward to reading about your holiday :) We have been enjoying a fabulous hot summer! Lots of hose fights in the backyard, ice cream cones for dessert, and playing basketball, badminton, and bocce late into the evening.

Tomorrow, my husband and I are having a whirlwind 24 hours away to see an Arcade Fire concert! We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in July and I surprised my husband with the tickets. We are going to dress to the nines, and I am going to dance my butt off :)

I have the rest of the month off and am looking forward to finishing The Goldfinch, starting my next book club book The Tortoise and The Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins. Spending tonnes of time with family and friends. Going away for a little vacation with our boys, and soaking up as much sunshine as possible before the school routine starts up again.

Hi Joanna!Good to hear you liked it here! Here at home we all missed you! I actually cooked something veeeeeeery good: Burrata salad, with cherry tomatoes, lemons and basil. You put the tomatoes, the basil, the lemons cut in tiny-thin triangles and some olive oil and salt in the oven until the tomatoes start to get wrinkled. Then you wait for it to cool a bit and tear the bur rata over it. You mix it together and it's done! It's sooo easy and sooo good (and you only need one dish, so it's great afterwards as well). Anyway, it's good to have you back! Xoxo, Maria

welcome back! my husband and i are headed to misty scotland next week for our honeymoon (a little belated- married last october). i have been scouring your travel posts and found so many useful tips! i'm definitely using your advice on packing clothes in single color scheme- trying to stick to only creams and shades of greys with a little camel. i'm even bringing those peep toe wedges you blogged about like 2 years ago :-)

I can't wait to see the photos! I've only ever been to London to spend one rainy day frantically seeing as many landmarks as possible and the rest of the time nursing a sick friend back to health. Bad news... broken foot and ankle. So far I'm at four days in a cast and counting. Good news... I successfully showered with garbage bag covering my left leg. :)

So glad you're back! With all the blogs out there, you don't really think you'd miss a certain blog when they're on vacation, but I can honestly say, I missed reading yours. Glad you had a safe and fun trip. Can't wait to see more pictures.

Haven't been up to too much these last few weeks...just making the "easiest dill fridge pickles" by the jar load. They are so good, and so easy!

ahh!! I've missed you and I don't even know you! Oh, blogging world... how wonderful are thee.

Since you've been gone, I left my job in Philadelphia, packed up all of my things into my trusty Honda and am now taking two weeks to drive across the country to move back to California where I grew up to be closer to family. I'm three days in and it has already been quite an adventure with lots of singing alone in the car, moments of sheer panic about what I'm doing with my life and a lot of beautiful scenery.

So glad you're back! Can't wait to read all about it :) I love England and desperately want to go back soon.

I feel like I am on the cusp of change, I just don't know how it will happen yet. I feel restless a lot of the time, a little unhappy with my relationship (he wants me to move in, but I kind of don't want to) and some other family drama. Just gotta stay calm and figure it all out somehow. Sigh.

I'm actually in Polruan - it's the first time I've been to Cornwall since I was 11, decided to come down from London for a last minute getaway on Friday. How did you like Durham? It's where my partner and I met when we were university freshers there :-)

Joanna, I'm a mom of two little guys about Toby and Anton's age and an avid reader of your blog. I did little cheers when Anton was born b/c it meant that you were going to write about life with two boys among all of your other wonderful content. Just wanted to welcome you back and say that I didn't realize how much I looked forward to your daily posts until you were on vacation and I missed them. You deserved a vacation even though it came with sleepless teething nights and craziness. Thank you for providing me with daily mini-vacations with your blog.

Welllll I just found out I'm pregnant (while you were gone!)…9 weeks 1 day! Eeeek! So naturally I've been rereading all of the Motherhood Monday posts. Yay! So glad to hear you had a lovely trip. Looking forward to hearing more about it :)

P.s. I just felt like Jenna Maroney when I typed "naturally"…I could hear her voice saying it as I typed it out! HA!

Yaya! You are back! Glad you had a nice vacation- absolutely loving your motherhood around the world series! I got to cuddle my new little baby boy this week!!!!http://noelleann.com/lifestyle-patrick-nikki-baby-hudson/

I am glad you are back. A cup of Jo is a part of my early, early morning routine. We went hiking a lot. Even wenn it was raining. Picked nearly 6 kg of blueberries. + So excited to open my online ceramics shop!Greetings from the Swiss Alps,Danijela

I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl two weeks ago! The 20-hour long labour was crazy and fun and the same time. Looking back, I realized everyone tells you their birth stories but nobody shares how exhausting the first weeks with a new baby are. Right now I'm struggling with breastfeeding so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Online dating!?!? It sucks! It's comic relief at this point...I am 'recently' single after having been in an eleven year relationship. I'm thirty-one years old, successful, smart and attractive... so I figured the next thing to try would be online dating. It's weird and awful! I mean, I think I'm a newbie to dating since my last relationship started when I was eighteen, but still...

I remember, when I was in a committed relationship, thinking about how cool online dating seemed and I have friends that felt the same way, but once you take the plunge you realize you're swimming in a confusing cesspool of weirdness.

I read this article that I looooved. I'm not the least bit sad or lonely about my situation, but I wonder if there is a way to make online dating a little more palatable.

In the meantime though, I'm a happy camper and enjoying everything life has to offer.

I finally got around to buying a diaper pail (my baby is 18 months). Why did I wait this long?! Sometimes I worry too much about over indulging in baby gear-- like I need to rough it a little to prove something. Anyway, it's awesome! We got the Arm & Hammer one by Munchkin.

Busy with all the things you need to organise for an international move. From the Netherlands to Scotland. I'm excited and scared, happy for the opportunity and sad for the friends and family. I'm going on an adventure!

Glad you're back, and that you enjoyed being in my neck of the woods. :) I felt my baby dancing inside me for the first time this week & finally got properly excited about this pregnancy. Looking forward to reading everything your blog can offer on motherhood and babies. :)

hi joanna! oh yay! i'm traveling too but also experiencing being single and casual dating for the first time in... ever!! also: read an amazing book - "the art of fielding." not just for baseball people! i think you'd love it. i swallowed it in a week!

WELCOME BACK!!! You have been missed by many, I'm sure. The hubby and I went to Costa Rica for 9 days and have a fabulous time! Beautiful country, beautiful people and lots of surf to keep my husband a happy guy. Did you know Costa Rica is considered the happiest nation in the world? Now that we have been I can easily say I believe it.

Cheers Jo. So wonderful to have you back safely and I cannot wait to see pics of your lovely trip!!

My hubby & I got a PUPPY this weekend! It's the softest, most adorable little being I've ever parented (no kids yet!), so we are all smiles. Wishing you lots of smile and soft cute things from Tennessee!

We have missed you!! :) Anton is such a cutie.My boyfriend proposed to me on our vacation in Italy last week, I didn't see it coming at all, it was awesome :)Looking forward to reading about your trip!

Welcome back Joanna! We missed you. :) Can't wait to see photos of your travels. I recently finished the book "Glitter & Glue: A Memoir" by Kelly Corrigan and loved it! It's about a girl who travels to Australia and nannys for a family who recently lost their mother. It's amazing. I am also currently reading "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart and it's great so far!

glad you are back!! I missed my favorite blogger! Even though you don't know me, I kind of feel like I know you! Its funny, isn't it?! I quit my job to care for my son and I started my own design blog this year! Its so fun and scary and wonderful to start something new. I'm glad I have a supportive family as a safety net.

thank you for all these wonderful comments!!! i LOVE LOVE LOVE hearing from you guys, and now i want to ask you all about your lives in every post! so fun and fascinating to hear what everyone is up to. thank you so much for sharing :)

Can't wait to hear all about your trip! I totally am guilty of living vicariously through your vacations! Its funny you asked if we got a new job or left an old one because I did both and it was the most liberating/frightening experience! I'm a teacher in a NYC charter school and it's been quite the ride learning the in's and out's of the education system in NYC (and everywhere for that matter). For all you teachers other there, we'll get through this together!!

I thought maybe it was just me who was missing out on your posts... I had baby boy #3, Mr. Finnley Parker... I'm glad that I didn't miss anything from you, and that you were out enjoying your time in England!

Joanna, I love that you asked and I love that everyone is answering- what a sweet little community!

While you were away I made strawberry jam, swam in a cold waterfall, adopted a chicken and then had my boyfriend decide we couldn't have a house chicken (she's now living in my friend's flock, boo), procrastinated a lot and didn't do much study, and babysat some adorable children (and their dog which is the fluffiest I've ever seen).

I devoured Where'd You Go, Bernadette? this weekend. It was delicious! Highly recommend it. We share a fave book in The History of Love. I'm considering rereading it actually. Have you read Watership Down by Adams. Also high on my best reads list.

I'm soooo glad you're back. I have been checking to see if you already posted something new the past few days because I've already read ALL the links in your last post. Haha! Hope you guys had fun, Joanna! And I hope Anton is feeling much better now. :)

Well since you asked, while you were away I gained 5 pounds. I made the French silk pie recipe you linked to on your last post. It was delicious but left me with thighs to rival Anton. But it's all good. It help me come to the conclusion that it's time to switch from long distance running to distance cycling. My aging hips and knees are grateful for the change.

I missed you! I cannot believe that you went on holidays when I went into a hospital all by myself in Germany for three weeks. But I am happy, I no longer have Lyme disease, and as for reading matter - I read The Children's Book by AS Byatt - which was AMAZING - I loved it - before I was cured from Lyme disease my short term memory was damaged so I read the first few chapters over and over for 5 weeks... very good to get past that. I also read Clement's book about her years working for Vogue - another excellent read.

I just read "the Rosie project" which was so so good. It was different than anything i have ever read. And now I am reading jk Rowling new book "the cuckoos calling" which of course so far is amazing. I can't wait to see pics from the trip!!

My husband, two year old, and Imoved from San Diego to saint Louis. (Where we know no one!)Amidst all the strangeness in our livesnow, it's nice to have your blog back.It's like an old reliable friend:)

Glad to hear you had a great vacation, I was so glad to see your blog up and running again! I am from England and I am so glad you can appreciate all the beautiful parts, the pubs being one of them!

I just found out some fantastic news.. that I am able to stay in the USA! I've waiting for visa news for a long time and finally found out yesterday. My boyfriend and I took a risk and moved in together as I persuaded him that I wanted the visa enough, so that meant I would get it. Naive maybe but where there's a will there's a way!

Welcome back! I hope you post some pics from England. I am anxiously waiting for my honeymoon (I got married a few months back but couldn't go until now) We are going to Paris, Rome and Amalfi Coast, and I kept reading your tips to help me get through the week! hahaIf you have any more recommendations pass them along ;)

So glad to be apart of this cool community. Welcome back and I look forward to your photos!

I've been reading a lot blogs on minimalism lately and being inspired by a few I read regularly (including this one) decided to revive my own blog with my boyfriend! Minimalism is not just about getting rid of stuff its about focusing only on the stuff you really love. <3

Sounds like a wonderful trip! I just read My Berlin Kitchen which is the book written by Luisa from Parenting in Germany. Such a good read and yummy recipes to boot. I have made two from the book. Yum!

Jo, I was visiting Ireland and the UK when you were there! We actually stayed for 18 days, and it was my first time visiting. My favorite places in England were York (I loved Yorkminster Abbey), and the Cotswolds. Both places were so beautiful, and the people were lovely. We didn't get to Cornwall, but it's on our list for next time!